Last Modified: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 4:06 p.m.

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Instruments of all sizes, sorts and curiosities fill his Gaffney home. Most of which Cox crafted with his own hands.

From keyboards to wind and string instruments to mbiras (also known as thumb pianos), Cox has dabbled in it all. Flutes are his newest intrigue.

Cox's workbench is lined with chisels, files and homemade tools designed for crafting variations of flutes — or pipes — that originated in various world cultures. As he learned and honed the art of creating flutes, Cox established contacts with several European pipers' guilds.

“It was the curiosity to work with my hands and make something that would make a sound,” Cox said of his musical interests.

Cox, who retired from Limestone College's art department last year, has spent decades delving into not only how to make the instruments, but the history and evolution of the art. Cox called the hobby itself “a grand teacher.”

The first instrument he made — a one-string fiddle — was created in college from just scraps of wood. When a professor picked it up and began playing Mozart, Cox said a world of possibilities opened up to him.

“My complete na´vety, I think, let me progress,” he said.

Flutes have been a part of Cox's creative repertoire for more than 30 years, but his true passion for them began to grow five years ago. Larger flutes make deep, melodious sounds, while others buzz or whistle at a higher pitch.

He's established contacts from all corners of the globe, exchanging ideas and information about the instrument's evolution, craftsmanship and use. Cox developed a particular interest in the flute's value in educating young students.

“It satisfies a personal curiosity of mine,” Cox said. “...This is for educational purposes and for the enjoyment of making something that is playable.”

Cox typically uses local bamboo to create his flutes, but he knows that even a thin white piece of PVC pipe can be artfully crafted to create a unique sound.

“I try to make them the way I read them to be made — with very few tools,” Cox said.

Boxes full of flutes, whistles and pipes fill his workroom, while others rest atop his work bench, ready to be tested with a few skillful breaths.

<p>Andy Cox has held a curiosity about musical instruments since he carved a whistle out of bamboo as a young Cub Scout.</p><p>Instruments of all sizes, sorts and curiosities fill his Gaffney home. Most of which Cox crafted with his own hands.</p><p>From keyboards to wind and string instruments to mbiras (also known as thumb pianos), Cox has dabbled in it all. Flutes are his newest intrigue.</p><p>Cox's workbench is lined with chisels, files and homemade tools designed for crafting variations of flutes — or pipes — that originated in various world cultures. As he learned and honed the art of creating flutes, Cox established contacts with several European pipers' guilds.</p><p>“It was the curiosity to work with my hands and make something that would make a sound,” Cox said of his musical interests.</p><p>Cox, who retired from Limestone College's art department last year, has spent decades delving into not only how to make the instruments, but the history and evolution of the art. Cox called the hobby itself “a grand teacher.”</p><p>The first instrument he made — a one-string fiddle — was created in college from just scraps of wood. When a professor picked it up and began playing Mozart, Cox said a world of possibilities opened up to him.</p><p>“My complete na´vety, I think, let me progress,” he said.</p><p>Flutes have been a part of Cox's creative repertoire for more than 30 years, but his true passion for them began to grow five years ago. Larger flutes make deep, melodious sounds, while others buzz or whistle at a higher pitch.</p><p>He's established contacts from all corners of the globe, exchanging ideas and information about the instrument's evolution, craftsmanship and use. Cox developed a particular interest in the flute's value in educating young students.</p><p>“It satisfies a personal curiosity of mine,” Cox said. “...This is for educational purposes and for the enjoyment of making something that is playable.”</p><p>Cox typically uses local bamboo to create his flutes, but he knows that even a thin white piece of PVC pipe can be artfully crafted to create a unique sound.</p><p>“I try to make them the way I read them to be made — with very few tools,” Cox said.</p><p>Boxes full of flutes, whistles and pipes fill his workroom, while others rest atop his work bench, ready to be tested with a few skillful breaths.</p>